What is the initial franchise fee for a first Bens Soft Pretzels franchise?
Bens_Soft_Pretzels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Type of Expenditure* | Amount | Method of Payment | When Due | To Whom Payment Is To Be Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee (1) | $30,000 | Lump sum. | Due upon signing the Franchise Agreement. | Us. |
- (1) Initial Franchise Fee. The initial franchise fee is $30,000. For an additional franchise, the initial franchise fee is $25,000. For an honorably discharged veteran, the initial franchise fee is $15,000 for a first franchise and $10,000 for an additional franchise. We also offer a program which allows for deferred payment of part of the initial franchise fee to franchisees willing to commit to open up three Stores. As noted in Item 5, the total initial franchise fee for this program is $65,000, $47,500 of which is due when you sign the franchise agreements for the three Stores. The program is not offered at further reduced fees for honorably discharged veterans. You will sign all three franchise agreements at the same time.
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 16–18)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bens Soft Pretzels's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the initial franchise fee for a first franchise is $30,000. This fee is payable in a lump sum when signing the Franchise Agreement and is paid directly to Bens Soft Pretzels.
Notably, the FDD outlines exceptions to this standard initial franchise fee. For franchisees opening additional Bens Soft Pretzels locations, the initial franchise fee is reduced to $25,000. Honorably discharged veterans receive a further discount, paying $15,000 for their first franchise and $10,000 for each additional franchise.
Bens Soft Pretzels also offers a program that allows franchisees to defer payment of a portion of the initial franchise fee if they commit to opening three stores. Under this program, the total initial franchise fee is $65,000, with $47,500 due upon signing the franchise agreements for all three stores. This deferred payment program is not available to honorably discharged veterans at a further reduced rate. These options provide different entry points for prospective franchisees depending on their circumstances and expansion plans.